Does anyone know anything about the Marriott Vacation Invitation I got in the mail? 3 days and 2 nights + gas if you go to a USA direct store for an hour tour.
What's the catch? If it sounds too good to be true it is and there is no good news in the fine print.

Just curious if anyone got one and took the tour?

Thanks!

First, welcome to FT.

Second, does your sales invitation require you to pre-purchase the stay? If you do a search on this forum (hint: use the words "MVCI" and "package"), you should be able to find a number of references to MVCI tour packages. (I'm assuming you are refering to a tour of one of Marriott's Vacation Club properties.) Most of the ones I have seen, at least within the last few years, have been where you receive a discounted stay at or near their vacation club poperties.

Of course, I'm sure they change up their packages to see what works and doesn't in terms of getting people to tour and buy into their properties. And this could very well be one of those changes. I also would be a little skeptical of one if there was no cash outlay on your part. But that doesn't necessarily mean it is not valid.

What might be helpful is to give us a little more information about the sales package you received. What property is it good for? What restrictions does it have? Does it list a website to look at information?

Interesting. What is a "USA Direct" store?

The usual timeshare pitch is a few nights at the property at a discounted rate in exchange for your taking a 1-2 hour tour of a model unit with a salesman. Lots of discussions here about these offers.

In general, most people consider Marriott fairly tasteful by the standards of the timeshare industry. Decent properties, sales guys that aren't too in-your-face, etc. But you still have to decide if it's worth it. Two hours of your vacation is earning you $X dollars... Everybody's price is different.

My only iron-clad advice about timeshares is to always say NO when you are physically there. No, no, no, no, NO!! Go home and forget about timeshares for a couple of weeks. Then, if after two weeks back in your usual routine, timesharing still seems like a good fit for you, start doing your research about how to go about getting one. Talk to people who own timeshares. Talk to a financial advisor. Dare your financial advisor to talk you out of it if you like. There are good cases for and against buying timeshares.

But you can't do this research, analysis, and critical long-term financial planning while you are on vacation. You're too relaxed, out of your element, and in a place where spending money is too easy. So say NO when you see the unit, and revisit the idea later when you're in the right frame of mind.

Anyway, welcome to FT and we look forward to hearing more about your offer!

I think you can also get a 32 oz Big Gulp if you tour the 7-11.

I'll offer a slightly different take on it. Only go if you are truly interested in purchasing the property. There's usually ample time to figure out if it meets your basic needs before you go. When you get there, instead of asking the sales rep why you SHOULD purchase it- ask them why you SHOULDN'T.

If you're not sure, or you're worried about being talked into it, then follow pinniped's advice.

There are probably countless thousands of timeshare owners around the globe who were only going to a sales pitch so that they could get those FREE Luau tickets.

Here's what it says verbatim on the card:

You will receive at your request a Marriott getaway including 3-days / 2-nights
at one of over 600 Marriott getaway properties within the United States plus dinner and GAS!

Destination Verified: Marriott, Fairfield INN Courtyard Resorts

It also has this disclaimer: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITAION FOR A TIME SHARE
*CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS APPLY

Travel Provider:
Reservation Center
2257 Vista Parkway
Suite 13
West Palm Beach, FL

So again, I call the number and the guy tells me to schedule about one hour of time to tour a USA DIRECT store in Sharonville, OH. I told him my wife works during the day and he said that I would have to schedule an appointment to go in the evening, as she is required to be there to make the offer valid.

I am probably barking up a dead hogs heiny here but still trying to find out whats the catch other than an hour tour.

Thanks again to all>>>> excuse me while I finish my Big Gulp

Sounds like USA Direct is one of those "Join for a small fee (of $3000) to get wholesale prices on white goods and other such stuff" stores.

The "catch" is, it is not a tour, it is a sales pitch. Probably a pretty hard one, too.

OK - makes more sense. It's a third-party trying to sell you something, and they simply have some Marriott certificates to give away as promotional items. Unrelated to timeshares.

I'd read all fine print very, very closely. Capacity controls, restrictions, specific destinations, blackouts, expiration date, etc., etc., etc.

This is not an offer by Marriott. I'd toss the offer where it belongs: the garbage. To me it's the equivalent of a pop-up ad on the internet: "click here for a free vacation".

Done and shreded.... thanks for everyone's input and thoughts.....

Cool...